Top-seed Delaware beats Hofstra in CAA quarterfinal

Davon Usher scored 28 points and Jarvis Threatt 18 of his 22 points in the second half as the Blue Hens (23-9) advanced to Sunday’s semifinals.

“We gave up a lot of layups in the first half,” Hens coach Monte’ Ross said. “I thought we did a better job in the second half.”

Delaware shot 63 percent from the field in a 50-point second half (14-for-22) and limited Hofstra to 38-percent shooting. The Blue Hens’ second-half defensive pressure had a cumulative effect, as No. 8 Hofstra (10-23) had as many turnovers as baskets (11).

Zeke Upshaw (23 points) led Hofstra, but was shadowed most often by Devon Saddler and got few open shots. The Pride, which goes just seven-deep, had two players foul out as Delaware went 30-for-38 from the foul line.

“I thought the biggest thing,” Ross said, “was we kept them from getting layups. We allowed too many points in the paint in the first half. We wanted them to take contested jump shots.”